^^^^^^^^ RECLAIM THE VALLEYS ^^^^^^^^^^ CELTIC ENERGY (The open-cast mining giants) are one of South Wales' biggest environmental enemies. They intend to carve a huge hole out of South Wales' valleys, effectively destroying local communities, their environment and causing devestating damage to richly diverse ecosystems. In 30 years time the beautiful lush green valleys of South Wales which inspired all which inspired the likes of Dylan Thomas to harp on and on about the lush green valleys that are part of Welsh heritage will be nothing more than a slag heap, with a thin token veneer of monoculture. WALES IS IN DANGER AND MUST BE DEFENDED !! CELTIC ENERGY owns a considerable wedge of the land, stretching from the South west Coast to the boarder of the Brecon National Park near Merthyr Tydfil (check a map - Its a big wedge!). They are cuurently waiting on planning permission, but apparently only as a result of the Welsh office overturning local decisions that went against CELTIC ENERGY'S plans. You may have already heard of SELAR and BRYNHENLLYS, both these sites which were established early last summer have been evicted at considerable cost. There is now a new site being set up at NANT GYRLAIS, which is still in the planning stage with strong local opposition (Similar to Selar & Brynhenllys). CELTIC ENERGY is a private company that still needs to float shares on the stock market. It is rumoured that they are struggling financially. Open-Cast mining, most agree is environmentally devestating, seeing it first hand in the Neath valley, nearly a decade after coal extraction, the land remains barren and desert-like. Open-Casting produces no new jobs for the local communities, where youth unemployment is higher than most places in the country Instead, it promises clouds of coal dust which has been demonstrated in past cases to increase the incidence of asthma (especially in kids). Raising rich marsh and woodland to dusty scars across the landscape. The environmental and sociological effects of CELTIC ENERGY's intended programme of coal extraction could be profoundly disturbing life in The Valleys. THIS DESTRUCTION CAN BE STOPPED From May 27th-30th, we are having a national Reclaim the Valleys week, when we will reclaim some (or all!) of CELTIC ENEMIES land. Please come along with a positive attitude to have some excellent fun in a beautiful place !! Bring anything you need to survive, and tell anyone you know about this bid to save a threatened environment. For further information please call 0385 711364 or 01404 815729 (A30 Office) or 0171 281 4621 (Reclaim the Streets) The week directly before, there will be an infoline on 01792 649071 At the time, head down the M4 to Swansea and give us a call! ******************************************************** PRINT-OFF AND PASS THIS ON. If you can bring cameras of any form to document the activities of this week of action, please do. Our persistance in this matter can and eventually will prevent CELTIC ENERGY and their shortsighted selfish agenda from destroying what is still a green and pleasent land. ******************************************************** We look forward to seeing you, " There'll be a welcome in the hillside ... ..." RECLAIM THE VALLEYS See ya